Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
These healthy oatmeal bars are loaded with peanut butter, oats, and other good for you ingredients. Perfect for a quick and healthy snack!
How is it already the middle of August? When did this even happen? Kids are already heading back to school and I’m still wondering how it’s almost September. But that means fall is just around the corner and let me tell you, it’s one of my favorite baking seasons!
But, it’s still summer and I’m living up the last few weeks of it with these bars. I’ve made two more batches of these this past week because they are that good. I wanted these bars to be on the healthier side, so I used oats and white whole wheat flour. When it comes to baking a little healthier, I love to use white whole wheat flour and it works so perfectly in these bars.
Annddd.. there’s zero butter in these bars too, just peanut butter and a little coconut oil. I also threw in some chocolate chips because chocolate + peanut butter is always a winning combination.
These oatmeal breakfast bars are super soft, thick, and chewy and almost like eating a peanut butter cookie. A peanut butter cookie in bar form that’s a little healthier is always welcome in my home. Plus, you only need one bowl to make these. The less dirty dishes the better!
Ingredients in This Recipe
The ingredients list for these healthy oatmeal bars is short and sweet:
- Peanut butter: I typically use a peanut butter brand like Jiffy or Skippy rather than natural peanut butter.
- Coconut sugar: Brown sugar can be used instead of coconut sugar, if desired.
- Honey: Sweetens the bars.
- Egg: It’s best to use an egg that’s room temperature in these bars, so the coconut oil does not solidify. If you need to do this quickly, just place your egg in a cup of warm water for about 5 minutes before adding it to the recipe.
- Coconut oil: I prefer to use melted coconut oil in these bars, but you can use vegetable or canola oil.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Oats: You’ll need old-fashioned (rolled) oats for this oatmeal snack.
- Flour: I’ve only made this recipe with white whole wheat flour, but I imagine all-purpose flour would also work.
- Salt: Enhances the peanut butter-chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda: Prevents the bars from being too dense.
- Chocolate chips: Use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips, whichever you prefer!
How to Make Oatmeal Bars
To make these easy oatmeal bars, simply mix together the wet ingredients before adding in the dry. Fold in the chocolate chips last.
Turn the batter into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish, then bake until the top is set and golden brown.
How to Store These Bars
Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Baking Tips
- For a slightly less sweet bar, the coconut sugar (or brown sugar) may be reduced from 1/4 cup to 2 tablespoons.
- The coconut oil may be replaced with 2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil.
- You’re welcome to omit the chocolate chips entirely or substitute them with another baking chip, chopped nuts, or dried fruit.
More Oatmeal Snacks to Try!
- No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Cinnamon Raisin Granola
- Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (125 grams) creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg , room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (100 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (95 grams) white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (95 grams) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, coconut sugar, honey, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Add in the oats, flour, salt, baking soda and mix until combined. Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the batter.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until the top is set and lightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool in the pan, then cut into bars.
Notes
I looked for a reason why there’s an aseterisk next to 3 ingredients in the recipe, but couldn’t find any legend. Why do the sugar, eggs and cocount oil have an asterisk after them?
Three adjustments I made:
1. I used almond meal instead of flour. Gives better texture and more fiber (I think).
2. I use mini choclate chips so they disperse better.
3. I lightly run the oats fhrough my Vitamix to chop them a litte. It givea more area to bind so the bars are more “solid”.
I have notes in the recipe notes on each of those 3 ingredients 🙂
What is the nutritional information?
Hello! Can I add peanut butter protein powder?? And how much would you recommend if I can? Thanks!
Hi, Jill! I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe, it will likely dry out the bars.
I’ve made these a few times and have added about a 1/4 cup almond milk and 1/4 cup unsweet apple sauce when I double the recipe to bake in a 13×9 pan. Adds some moisture to them. Thank you for the recipe- my little ones love it and think they are eating a decadent dessert ?
Based on other commenters saying the bars were dry, I chose to try the recipe with almond flour and also tried to cook it for less time based on other reviews. On a first pass at 16 minutes the bars were still very raw in the center so I put them back in for another 10 or so minutes and that seemed to be perfect. The honey flavor is a little bit overpowering for my taste, so I might try these using just brown sugar or some other substitute, but my husband really liked them as is and I will say they feel like a healthier and more energizing snack compared to the usual baked goods.
Can quick oats be used instead of the old fashioned?
Thank you
Yes, that would be fine.
I made these and did decide to add just a little Greek yogurt to them. Less than a fourth of a cup… Based on a few comments or maybe it was just their preferences. (?)
Maybe it helped or maybe it didn’t matter. Anyway, they turned out great. Thank you for the fabulous recipe. So yummy!
Made these yesterday for a swim party snack. The kids loved them! Great recipe!
I made this today as a beginning of the semester power snack and they came out great! I used white flour because that’s what I had on hand and the bars are most and chewy without being super crumbly. Thanks for the easy recipe!